V-009 Robot-Assisted Repair of a Traumatic Hernia After a Pelvic Fracture: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract Aim Traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWH) are an uncommon clinical entity, accounting for less than 0.2% of all blunt trauma injuries. Management and operative technique are still a matter of debate and the role of the robotic surgical platform in traumatic hernias has not been reported on. We present a robot-assisted repair of a TAWH through a fracture of the left iliac wing. We aim to describe our operative approach and perform a review of the literature. Material and methods A 46-year-old male with a history of a high energetic trauma presented with a symptomatic swelling in the left lumbar region. Further imaging showed an important defect of the abdominal wall caused by a disruption of the iliac and gluteus muscles and non-union of a left iliac wing fracture. This caused a herniation of the descending colon. A robot-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) with synthetic mesh was performed in elective setting. Results The postoperative course was uneventful. Discharge was possible at postoperative day one. There was no surgical site infection, seroma, or recurrence after a follow-up period of 6 months. Conclusions To our knowledge, we describe the first robot-assisted repair of a TAWH through a pelvic fracture. Our technique was safe and feasible. In difficult to reach areas of the abdomen, a robot-assisted repair might be a valid approach. Larger studies are needed to confirm our initial experience in traumatic abominal wall hernia surgery.